1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, andtempting desired him that he would shew them a signfrom heaven.2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, yesay, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: forthe sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discernthe face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of thetimes?4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign;and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of theprophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Matthew 16:1-4

In resistance to the kingdom, the pharisees continuallytried to trap Jesus with strategies and cause him to saysomething that they could legally hold against him.They thrived on what they thought was their ability tobait Jesus in saying something that they couldtechnically use to discredit him. Now they want a sign from heaven to see if Jesus willperform for them.They were wicked because they attempted to get him toact. not because they needed something from heavenbut to make him look like a fraud.It is clear that all creation testifies to the existence ofGod and the power of heaven.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of theworld are clearly seen, being understood by the things thatare made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so thatthey are without excuse:

Romans 1:20

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds wereframed by the word of God, so that things which are seenwere not made of things which do appear.

Hebrews 11:3

5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, theyhad forgotten to take bread.6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of theleaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It isbecause we have taken no bread.8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye oflittle faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because yehave brought no bread?9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the fiveloaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye tookup?

Matthew 16:5-11

10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and howmany baskets ye took up?11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not toyou concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leavenof the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Matthew 16:5-11

Jesus warns them about buying into the spirit, tactics,and teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.Once again, His disciples totally missed His messagebecause they were thinking about their naturalappetites rather than that which pertains to thekingdom of God.He warns them not to be contaminated by the desire touse the word for manipulation and control of people fortheir own benefit.I have warned people not to play into the evangelicals’attempt to make what goes on in Washington D.C. anissue of who is favored by God.Once again, it does not matter who is in the WhiteHouse when God is sitting on the throne.

12 Then understood they how that he bade them notbeware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of thePharisees and of the Sadducees.13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi,he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I theSon of man am?14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist:some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Matthew 16:12-14

Jesus is clear about the fact that man will always maketheir assessments about the things of the kingdom.It is also clear that Jesus shows that the power of thekingdom comes as the result of our revelation of whoHe is. This is what Paul was talking about when he said theyhave a ‘form of godliness but they deny the powerthereof.’

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shallcome.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures morethan lovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the powerthereof: from such turn away.

Timothy 3:1-7

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, andlead captive silly women laden with sins, led away withdivers lusts,7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledgeof the truth.

Timothy 3:1-7

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art theChrist, the Son of the living God.17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou,Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed itunto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and uponthis rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shallnot prevail against it.

Matthew 16:15-20

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom ofheaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall bebound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earthshall be loosed in heaven.20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell noman that he was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:15-20

Keys to the kingdom are delivered when the King cantrust you with the keys. These keys are a result of God giving us access to Hisknowledge, revelation, and understanding.God is looking for trustworthy people in the kingdom.